And it’s not the wonderful London Symphony Orchestra that we’re used to. It’s weird. I think the whole score sounds great, and the orchestra performs brilliantly. But whereas (for example) the jump from LSO with Raiders Of The Lost Ark to an American studio orchestra for Temple Of Doom didn’t feel like a step down in quality, the Main Title in TFA sounds like a slightly naff warm up take. Shame. And a bit off topic. Sorry 😃
Are you saying there is a bigger difference between today’s LSO and the orchestra from TFA than the difference between the 1977 LSO and the 2005 LSO?
The LSO of today is a poor rehash of the 1977 LSO.
I don’t know if I’d go that far, but I’m also not entirely sure of the last time I heard them play. But if we look back to 1999 and TPM recordings there were some of the same musicians playing as in 1977. Those recording sessions gave Williams what he considered to be the definitive recording of the main theme, hence it’s re-use in Clones and Sith. One of the biggest losses was when Maurice Murphy died. That man was a trumpet powerhouse. He made those opening blasts sound so good on the other films, and made Indy and Superman sound so ridiculously good.
I don’t think Dudamel’s conducting would have much to do with the problem. He’s awesome as well, and the end credits which I believe he also conducted sound great. There’s a depth missing, which is probably just a mixing decision which doesn’t work for my ears. But hey. It’s new Star Wars.